Becky Sauerbrunn is a distinguished former professional soccer player who made significant contributions to the sport as a center back. Her professional journey began after a stellar college career with the Virginia Cavaliers, where she was recognized as the ACC Player of the Year. In 2010, she joined the Washington Freedom in Women’s Professional Soccer, marking the start of her professional career. Following the formation of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013, Sauerbrunn quickly established herself as a key player, leading FC Kansas City to two championships and earning the NWSL Defender of the Year title three times during her tenure.

Sauerbrunn’s leadership qualities shone through as she co-captained the United States national team alongside Carli Lloyd from 2016 to 2018, before taking on the role of captain from 2021 to 2023. Under her guidance, the team achieved remarkable success, including gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and victories at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Notably, she played every minute of the 2015 World Cup, showcasing her endurance and skill on the global stage.

Throughout her career, Sauerbrunn was recognized for her defensive prowess, being named to the NWSL Best XI multiple times and receiving accolades for her performances with the Utah Royals FC and Portland Thorns FC. Her commitment to excellence was evident as she continued to excel even after transitioning to Portland, where she scored her first goal for the team in 2022.

Beyond her on-field achievements, Sauerbrunn has been an advocate for player rights and equality in sports. She played a pivotal role in collective bargaining negotiations with U.S. Soccer and was elected as the first president of the players association. After a remarkable 16-year career, she announced her retirement in December 2024, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, resilience, and dedication to the sport.